Greece's Moraitis hoping for first Quarter-Finals to provide more reason to smile

BRATISLAVA (FIBA U18 European Championship 2017) - It is hard to catch Greece's Dimitrios Moraitis in a foul mood, and it seemed an impossible task on Wednesday night in Bratislava.

Greece clung on for a 71-65 win against Latvia in the Round of 16 to reach the Quarter-Finals at the FIBA U18 European Championship. Moraitis was one of the main culprits of the success, finishing the game with a game-high 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and a big smile on his face.

"I think we wanted it more. We gave everything we had in the game," the 18-year-old told FIBA.basketball following the game. "This win is very important, as it is the first time for us that we reach the Quarter-Finals. We're very happy. It is an important step, and now we keep moving, continue and focus on the next game."

It took Moraitis and company indeed several tries to reach the last eight. The 6ft 4in (1.92m) guard has competed for Greece since 2014, having already two FIBA U16 European Championships and one FIBA U18 European Championship under his belt. Despite finishing in the bottom half of each event, Moraitis' performances were not to blame. To the contrary, they played a big part in him signing with Basketball Champions League side AEK two seasons ago.

It comes as no surprise his path has led him this far, with basketball running in his genes. Father Kostas was a professional player and 2001-born brother Ilias has picked up the game as well. Having also tried swimming as well as track and field for a while, Dimitrios stuck to basketball in the end, much to the joy of the basketball fans in Greece, and in Bratislava's Hant Arena.

"I started playing basketball at 10-years-old. In the beginning, I wasn't exactly good but I just kept practicing, practicing and practicing, made the national team and here I am today," he said.

"It is a big honor for me to represent Greece and I just go out there, play my game and try to do it in the best possible way."

Moraitis gets to share this experience with one of his best friends, Georgios Kalaitzakis, with whom he even goes to school and shares a desk in the classroom. The backcourt duo have been putting up impressive numbers so far, although Moraitis admits he's been struggling with his outside shot.

The statistics following the first four games show a mere 12.5 percent from three-point range, a number his father, a good shooter in his playing days, would not approve of.

"He didn’t give me any comments yet. I know my percentages haven't been great so far, and I don't know what happened to be honest, but I won't stop shooting," Moraitis laughed. "And in the meantime, I will try to do other things like passing, anything to make us win the games."

He will get his next opportunity on Friday against Turkey, a game he eagerly awaits. The two sides last met in a Second Round clash at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2015, with the better ending for Turkey, 87-63.

"It will be a very tough game, but we still have a score to settle from two years ago, and I just want to play this game so bad."

A win against the undefeated Turkish team would bring Greece one step closer to a medal, a big dream of Moraitis and his teammates. Greece's U20s have set the tone earlier this summer by going all the way at the FIBA U20 European Championship on home soil, providing additional motivation for their younger colleagues.

"The U20 team winning gold is a big inspiration for us. We want a gold medal as well, it's something physical, everybody wants it. Their success challenges us to give our best and prove ourselves," commented Moraitis.

Just imagine the classroom talk. And the smile on his face.

FIBA